Nathan Scott (James Lafferty) started out as an arrogant and rude teenager, but over the years has matured into a responsible and loving family man. The sport of basketball has always been important in Nathan's life. His wife is Haley James (Bethany Joy Galeotti), who is a singer. They live in Tree Hill, North Carolina, with their young son Jamie (Jackson Brundage). Nathan has an older half-brother named Lucas (Chad Michael Murray). Although their relationship was originally acrimonious, they eventually became very close before Lucas moved away. Nathan is also good friends with his basketball agent, Clay Evans (Robert Buckley).

When One Tree Hill premiered, Nathan was sixteen and the star player on the Tree Hill High School Ravens basketball team. His controlling father, Dan (Paul Johansson), put constant pressure on him to play his best. Nathan was dating cheerleader Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), who became attracted to Lucas. Nathan and Lucas also became basketball teammates, which increased the rivalry between them. Although Lucas was willing to be friendly, Nathan was not.

Nathan tried to use Lucas's best friend, Haley James, as a way of getting revenge on his brother. The plan failed when he developed genuine feelings for her. They got married while still in high school, but their relationship suffered due to Dan's interference and the success of Haley's music career. Despite their troubles, the two later reconciled and renewed their marriage vows. Haley also revealed that she was pregnant. Unfortunately, Nathan lost his college basketball scholarship due to an illegal deal he made to fix the outcome of a Ravens game. His high school coach, Whitey Durham (Barry Corbin), then took a coaching job at a small college and recruited Nathan. Soon Nathan and Haley's son, James Lucas Scott ("Jamie"), was born.

The show then skipped ahead four years in time. During that gap, Nathan successfully attended college and became a top basketball prospect. He was on the verge of playing professionally before he became paralyzed from the waist down in an accident. Embittered, Nathan believed his basketball career was over and became distant from his family. When he realized the damage he was doing, he put his life back together. Nathan gradually regained the ability to walk and made a basketball comeback. A sex scandal nearly ruined his career with the Charlotte Bobcats, but Nathan was proven innocent. He supported Haley during her mother's illness and death before finding out at the end of the seventh season that she was pregnant again.

Character Overview

Nathan has undergone a huge character evolution during his time on One Tree Hill. At first, as taught by his callous father, Dan, he was a self-centered boy who didn't care if he hurt others. Then he began to realize that Dan's lessons were wrong, and being cruel to classmates and relatives was the wrong thing to do. Nathan started to set up new priorities and become a better person. Although he still occasionally makes bad decisions, at least he recognizes them for what they are and regrets those choices. Nathan has become a man who greatly values his friendships and will place the needs of his family above his own.

Significant Quotes

"The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it."

"Having a brother is sort of like having a best friend. He helped make me the man I am today."